Found this bass, want to know if it's salvageable.

I'm a garbage man by trade and mainly a guitarist. I've always wanted a bass for the home studio but never bought one. Someone had this Mexican Jaguar bass out for collection and I couldn't help but take it home to see what was good with it. It's look like it's been outside for some time with the rust and what not. Surprisingly plays well and the electronics while not great do still work. I'd love to make a project out of this but I'm wondering if it would be worth it over just buying a good used one.

Couple key things I tried to picture are the skunk stripe is starting to separate from the neck a bit and the body is badly cracked in two places. But shockingly it still feels pretty nice and I haven't even put strings that aren't rusted to high hell yet.

Thoughts and opinions on building this up?
Sometimes people throw out a gem, sometimes their garbage. Up to you to decide but I wouldn't bother if it was me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrAB4003
I'm a garbage man by trade and mainly a guitarist. I've always wanted a bass for the home studio but never bought one. Someone had this Mexican Jaguar bass out for collection and I couldn't help but take it home to see what was good with it. It's look like it's been outside for some time with the rust and what not. Surprisingly plays well and the electronics while not great do still work. I'd love to make a project out of this but I'm wondering if it would be worth it over just buying a good used one.

Couple key things I tried to picture are the skunk stripe is starting to separate from the neck a bit and the body is badly cracked in two places. But shockingly it still feels pretty nice and I haven't even put strings that aren't rusted to high hell yet.

Thoughts and opinions on building this up?
You know what they say? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. 🤣

Let this bass be your treasure. Fix it up and make it yours. I would also take it to a professional luthier for help as needed.
 
You can definitely bring that back to life. New strings, a good wipe down and taking some 0000 steel wool to the frets will make a huge difference.

Even this one was able to be brought back to being a great player with the original electronics
View attachment 7047451
View attachment 7047452
Holy crap., what a mess! But there is some Irony in seeing a super-ferrite pickup surrounded by all that rust...
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Tassieviking
I agree that it looks like it was a u-boat at some point. Handle it carefully as it may have been swimming in poo water. Sanitize and keep your hands clean and protected till you get it cleaned up.
 
I agree that it looks like it was a u-boat at some point. Handle it carefully as it may have been swimming in poo water. Sanitize and keep your hands clean and protected till you get it cleaned up.
And wear a mask! You don't wanna breath in any dust from that thing even if it wasn't submerged in raw sewage or mold.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malak the Mad
That’s awesome, I wish I could find a mexi fender in the trash lol. Re-glue the skunk stripe, make sure the truss rod works, then play it in good health!

The body cracks, if they’re stable, I’d probably just seep some thinned out wood glue into, slap in some clamps while it cures, then call it good enough.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Drredplate